EHang to Use Drones for Heavy-Lift Cargo

EHang Intelligent Technology Co. Ltd. has obtained approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) to use its autonomous aerial vehicles (AAV) for heavy-lift air logistics.

The trial will be conducted in the city of Taizhou using EHang 216 passenger-grade autonomous aerial vehicles.

The drones will be authorized to transport up to 150 kilograms of merchandise per flight between shore and islands and ground and hilltop.

Guangzhou-based Ehang has pioneered the use of self-driving “air taxis” for sightseeing trips in China.

Ehang hopes to gradually expand the air logistics program to other parts of the country.

Last month, the Nasdaq-listed company announced plans to build an “airport” in southern China.

The company posted a net loss of 200,000 yuan in the fourth quarter of 2019, down from 30.7 million yuan a year earlier.

EHang expects the global urban air mobility market to reach US$1.5 trillion by 2040, with air logistics likely as a key revenue source, citing Morgan Stanley.